#THE BOILERS ACT, 1923 
______ 

##ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
______ 

SECTIONS 

1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
2A. Application of Act to feed-pipes. 
2B. Application of Act to economisers. 
3. Limitation of Application. 
4. Power to limit extent. 
4A. Technical Adviser. 
4B. Welders certificate. 
4C. Conditions precedent for manufacture of boiler land boiler component. 
4D. Inspection during manufacture. 
4E. Inspection during erection. 
4F. Conditions precedent for repairing boiler and boiler component. 
5. Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors. 
6. Prohibition of use of unregistered or uncertified boiler. 
7. Registration. 
8. Renewal of certificate. 
9. Provisional orders. 
10. Use of boiler pending grant of certificate. 
11. Revocation of certificate or provisional order. 
12. Alterations and renewals to boilers. 
13. Alterations and renewals to steam-pipes. 
14. Duty of owner at examination. 
15. Production of certificates, etc. 
16. Transfer of certificates, etc. 
17. Powers of entry. 
18. Report of accidents. 
19. Appeals to Chief Inspector. 
20. Appeals to appellate authority. 
20A. Power of Central Government to revise order of appellate authority. 
21. Finality of orders. 
22. Minor penalties. 
23. Penalties for illegal use of boiler. 
24. Other penalties. 
25. Penalty for tampering with register mark. 
26. Limitation and previous sanction for prosecutions. 
27. Trial of offences. 
27A. Central Boilers Board. 
28. Power to make regulations. 
28A. Power of Central Government to make rules. 
29. Power to make rules. 
30. Penalty for breach of rules. 
31. Publication of regulations and rules. 
31A. Power of Central Government to give directions. 
32. Recovery of fees, etc. 
33. Applicability to the Government. 
34. Exemptions. 
  Power to suspend in case of emergency. 
35. [Repealed.]. 
THE SCHEDULE.—[Repealed.]. 



#THE BOILERS ACT, 1923 

##ACT NO. 5 OF 1923

[23rd February, 1923.] 

  An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to steam-boilers. 

  WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to steam-boilers; 

  It is hereby enacted as follows: — 

1. **Short title, extent and commencement.**—(1) This Act may he called the Boilers Act, 1923. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India [^4].

(3) It  shall  come  into  force  on  such  date as  the  Central  Government  may,  by  notification  in  the 
Official Gazette, appoint. 

2. **Definitions.**—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— 

[^6][(a) “accident” means an explosion of boiler, or boiler component, which is calculated to weaken 
the strength or an uncontrolled release of water or steam therefrom, liable to cause death or injury to 
any person or damage to any property;] 

  (aa) “Board” means the Central Boilers Board constituted under section 27A; 

[^8][(b) “boiler”  means  a  pressure  vessel  in  which  steam  is  generated  for  use  external  to  itself  by 
application  of  heat  which  is  wholly  or  partly  under  pressure  when  steam  is  shut  off  but  does  not 
include a pressure vessel,— 

     (i) with capacity less than 25 liters (such capacity being measured from the feed check valve 
to the main steam stop valve); 

     (ii) with  less  than  one  kilogram  per  centimeter  square  design  gauge  pressure  and  working 
gauge pressure; or 

     (iii) in which water is heated below one hundred degrees centigrade; 

  (ba) “boiler  component”  means  steam  piping,  feed  piping,  economiser,  superheater,  any 
mounting  or  other  fitting  and  any  other  external  or  internal  part  of  a  boiler  which  is  subject  to 
pressure exceeding one kilogram per centimeter square gauge;] 

  (c) “Chief  Inspector”,  “Deputy  Chief  Inspector”  and  “Inspector”  mean,  respectively,  a  person 
appointed to be a Chief Inspector, a Deputy Chief Inspector and an Inspector under this Act; 

[^10][(ca)  “Competent  Authority”  means  an  institution  recognised  in  such  manner  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  regulations  for  issue  of  certificate  to  the  welders  for  welding  of  boiler  and  boiler 
components; 

  (cb)  “Competent  Person”  means  a  person  recognised  in  such  manner  as  may  be  prescribed  by 
regulations  for  inspection  and  certification  of  boilers  and  boiler  components  during  manufacture, 

[^4]. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10- 
2019). 
[^6]. Subs by Act 49 of 2007, s. 3, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^8]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 3, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-8-2010). 
[^10]. Ins. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 3 (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 



erection and use. All Inspectors shall be ipso facto competent persons;] 

  (cc) “economiser” means any part of a feed-pipe that is wholly or partially exposed to the action 
of flue gases for the purpose of recovery of waste heat; 

  (ccc) “feed-pipe”  means  any  pipe  or  connected  fitting  wholly  or  partly  under  pressure  through 
which feed water passes directly to a boiler and which does not form an integral part thereof;

[^3][(ccd)  “Inspecting  Authority”  means  an  institution  recognised  in  such  manner  as  may  be 
prescribed by regulations for the inspection and certification of boilers and boiler components during 
manufacture. All Chief Inspectors of Boilers shall be ipso facto Inspecting Authorities;] 

  (cce) “manufacture”  means  manufacture,  construction  and  fabrication  of  boiler  or  boiler 
component, or both; 

  (ccf) “manufacturer” means a person engaged in the manufacture;] 

  (d) “owner” includes any person possessing or using a boiler as agent of the owner thereof and 
any person using a boiler which he has hired or obtained on loan from the owner thereof; 

  (e) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations or rules made under this Act; 

  (f) “steam pipe” means any pipe through which steam passes if— 

     (i) the pressure at which steam passes through such pipe exceeds 3.5 kilogram per square 
centimeters above atmospheric pressure, or 

     (ii) such  pipe  exceeds  254  millimeters  in  internal  diameter  and  the  pressure  of  steam 
exceeds 1 kilogram per square centimeters above the atmospheric pressure, 

and includes in either case any connected fitting of a steam-pipe;

  (g) “structural alteration, addition or renewal” means,— 

     (i) any change in the design of a boiler or boiler component; 

     (ii) replacement of any part of boiler or boiler component by a part which does not conform 
to the same specification; or 

     (iii) any addition to any part of a boiler or boiler component; 

  (h) “superheater” means any equipment which is partly or wholly exposed to flue gases for the 
purpose  of  raising  the  temperature  of  steam  beyond  the  saturation  temperature  at  that  pressure  and 
includes a re-heater; 

  (i) “Technical Adviser” means the Technical Adviser appointed under sub-section (1) of section 
4A. 

2A. **Application of Act to feed-pipes.**—Every  reference  in  this  Act  (except  where  the  word 
steam-pipe'  is  used  in  clause  (f)  of  section  2),  to  a  steam-pipe  or  steam-pipes  shall  be  deemed  to 
include also a reference to a feed-pipe or feed-pipes, respectively.

2B. **Application of Act to economisers.**—Every  reference  in  this  Act  to  a  boiler  or  boilers 
except in clause (ccc) of section 2 shall  be  deemed  to  include  also  a  reference  to  an 
economiser or economisers, respectively.

[^3]. Ins. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 3 (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 



[^1][3. **Limitation of application.** — Nothing in this Act shall apply to— 

  (a) locomotive boilers belonging to or under the control of the railways; 

  (b) any boiler or boiler component, — 

     (i) in any vessel propelled wholly or in part by the agency of steam; 

     (ii) belonging to, or under the control of, the Army, Navy or Air Force; or 

     (iii) appertaining to a sterilizer disinfector used in hospitals or nursing homes, if the 
boiler does not exceed one hundred liters in capacity.] 

4. **Power to limit extent.**—The  State  Government may,  by  notification  in  the  Official  Gazette, 
exclude any specified area from the operation of all or any specified provisions of this Act. 

[^3][4A. **Technical Adviser.**—(1) The Central Government shall appoint a Technical Adviser from 
amongst the persons having such qualifications and experience as may be prescribed by rules. 

(2) The  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  Technical  Adviser  shall  be  such  as  may  be 
prescribed by the Central Government. 

(3) The  Technical  Adviser  shall,  in  addition  to  exercising  the  powers  and  discharging  the 
functions assigned to him under this Act or rules or regulations made thereunder, exercise such other 
powers and discharge such functions as the Central Government and the Board may delegate to him. 

4B. **Welders certificate.**—(1)  Any  person  who  proposes  to  undertake  any  welding  work 
connected  with  or  related  to  a  boiler,  or  a  boiler  component  or  both  shall  apply  to  a  Competent 
Authority for issue of a Welders certificate. 

(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Competent Authority shall follow such 
procedure for examination and grant of Welders certificate as may be prescribed by regulations. 

(3) The  Competent  Authority  may,  if  satisfied  that  the  person  applying  for  Welders  certificate 
under sub-section (2) has complied with the conditions precedent for issue of the Welders certificate, 
issue such certificate, to such person subject to the payment of such fee and such other conditions as 
may be prescribed by regulations: 

  Provided that the Competent Authority shall not refuse Welders certificate to any person unless 
such person is given an opportunity of being heard. 

4C. **Conditions precedent for manufacture of boiler land boiler component.**—(1) No person 
shall manufacture or cause to be manufactured any boiler or boiler component, or both unless— 

  (a) he has provided in the premises or precincts wherein such boiler or boiler component, or 
both  are  manufactured,  such  facilities  for  design  and  construction  as  may  be  prescribed  by 
regulations; 

  (b) the  design  and  drawings  of  the  boiler  and  boiler  component  have  been  approved  by  the 
Inspecting Authority under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 4D; 

  (c) the  materials,  mounting  and  fittings  used  in  the  construction  of  such  boiler  or  boiler 
component, or both conform to the specifications prescribed by regulations; and 

  (d) the  persons  engaged  for  welding  boiler  or  boiler  component  hold  Welders  certificate 
issued by a Competent Authority. 

4D. **Inspection during manufacture.**—(1)  Every  manufacturer,  before  commencing 
manufacture  of  a  boiler  or  boiler  component, shall  engage  an  Inspecting  Authority  for  carrying  out 
inspection at such stages of manufacture as may be prescribed by regulations. 

(2) The  Inspecting  Authority  engaged  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  follow  such  procedure  for 
inspection and certification of boiler or boiler component as may be prescribed by regulations and 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 4, for section 3 (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^3]. Ins. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 5, in respect of  section 4A, (w.e.f. 27-5-2008) and in respect of section 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F 
(w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 



after inspection, if it is— 

  (a) satisfied that the boiler or the boiler component conforms to the standards prescribed by 
regulations, it shall issue a certificate of inspection and stamp the boiler, or boiler component, or 
both; or 

  (b) of  the  opinion  that  the  boiler,  or  boiler  component,  or  both  does  not  conform  to  the 
standards prescribed by regulations, it may for reasons to be recorded in writing refuse to issue 
such certificate: 

  Provided that no certificate shall be refused unless the Inspecting Authority had directed the 
manufacturer of the boiler or boiler component, or both in writing to carry out such modifications 
or rectifications as it deems necessary and the Inspecting Authority is of the opinion that inspite of 
such direction the manufacturer of the boiler or boiler component, or both did not carry out the 
direction. 

(3) The Inspecting Authority may, for the purposes of inspection under this section, charge such 
fee as may be prescribed by regulations. 

4E. **Inspection during erection.**—(1) The owner who proposes to register a boiler under section 
7,  shall  engage  on  Inspecting  Authority  for  carrying  out  inspection  at  the  stage  of  erection  of  the 
boiler. 

(2) The  Inspecting  Authority  shall  follow  such  procedure  for  inspection  and  certification  of  a 
boiler or boiler component, or both as may be prescribed by regulations and after inspection if it is— 

  (a) satisfied that the erection of the boiler is in accordance with the regulations, it shall issue a 
certificate of inspection in such form as may be prescribed by regulations; or 

  (b) of the opinion that the boiler has not been erected in accordance with the regulations, it 
may for reasons to be recorded in writing, refuse to grant the certificate and shall communicate 
such refusal to the manufacturer of the boiler or boiler component forthwith: 

  Provided that no such certificate shall be refused unless the Inspecting Authority had directed 
the owner in writing to carry out such modifications or rectifications as it deems necessary and the 
Inspecting Authority is of the opinion that in spite of such direction the owner did not carry out 
the direction. 

(3) The Inspecting Authority may, for the purposes of inspection under this section, charge such 
fee as may be prescribed by regulations. 

4F. **Conditions precedent for repairing boiler and boiler component.**—No person shall repair 
or cause to be repaired any boiler or boiler component or both, unless— 

  (a) he has provided in the premises or precincts, where in such boiler or boiler component or 
both are being used, such facilities for repairs as may be prescribed by regulations; 

  (b) the  design  and  drawings  of  the  boiler  or  boiler component,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  the 
materials, mountings and fittings used in the repair of such boiler or boiler component conform to 
the regulations; 

  (c) persons engaged in welding, holds a Welders certificate issued by a Competent Authority; 

  (d) every  user  who  does  not  have  the  in-house  facilities  for  repair  of  boiler  or  boiler 
component shall engage a Boiler Repairer possessing a Boiler Repairer certificate for repair of a 
boiler or boiler component or both, as the case may be; 

  (e) every user shall engage a Competent Person for approval of repairs to be carried out in-
house or by the repairers.]

5. **Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors.**—(1) The  State  Government 
may appoint such persons as it thinks fit to be Inspectors for the State for the purposes of this Act, and 
may  define  the  local  limits  within  which  each  Inspector  shall  exercise  the  powers  and  perform  the 
duties conferred and imposed on Inspectors by or under this Act. 

(2) The State Government may appoint such persons as it thinks fit to be Deputy Chief Inspectors 
for the State and may define the local limits within which each Deputy Chief Inspector shall exercise 
his powers and perform his duties under this Act. 

(3) Every Deputy Chief Inspector may exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and 
imposed  on  Inspectors  by  or  under  this  Act  and,  in  addition  thereto,  may  exercise  such  powers  or 
perform  such  duties  conferred  or  imposed  of  the  Chief  inspector  by  or  under  this  Act,  as  the  State 
Government may assign to him. 

(4) The State Government shall appoint a person to be Chief Inspector for the State who may, in 
addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed on the Chief Inspector by or under this Act, 
exercise  any  power  or  perform  any  duty  so  conferred  or  imposed  on  Deputy  Chief  Inspectors  or 
Inspectors. 

[^1][(4A) No person shall be appointed as the Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector or Inspector 
unless  he  possesses  such  qualifications  and  experience  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  Central 
Government.] 

(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors shall exercise 
the  powers  and  perform  the  duties  conferred  and  imposed  on  them  by  or  under  this  Act  under  the 
general superintendence and control of the Chief Inspector. 

(6) The  Chief  Inspector,  Deputy  Chief  Inspectors  and  Inspectors  may  offer  such  advice as they 
think fit to owners regarding the proper maintenance and safe working of boilers. 

(7) The  Chief  Inspector  and  all  Deputy  Chief  Inspectors  and  Inspectors  shall  be  deemed  to  be 
public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

6. **Prohibition of use of unregistered or uncertificated boiler.**—Save  as  otherwise  expressly 
provided in this Act, no owner of a boiler shall use the boiler or permit it to be used— 

  (a) unless it has been registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act; 

  (b) in the case of any boiler which has been transferred from one State to another, until the 
transfer has been reported in the prescribed manner; 

  (c) unless  a  certificate  or  provisional  order  authorising  the  use  of  the  boiler  is  for  the  time 
being in force under this Act; 

  (d) at a pressure higher than the maximum pressure recorded in such certificate or provisional 
order; 

  (e) where the [^2][Central Government] has made rules requiring that boiler shall be in charge of 
persons holding certificates of proficiency or competency, unless  the  boiler  is  in  charge  of  a 
person holding the certificate required by such rules: 

  Provided that any boiler registered, or any boiler certified or licensed, under any Act hereby 
repealed shall be deemed to have been registered or certified, as the case may be, under this Act. 

7. **Registration.**—(1) The owner of any boiler which is not registered under the provisions of this 
Act [^5][may  apply  to  the  Inspector  along  with  such  other  documents  as  may  be  prescribed  by 
regulations  to  have  the  boiler  registered].  Every  such  application  shall  be  accompanied  by  the 
prescribed fee. 

(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Inspector shall fix a date, within thirty 
days or such shorter period as may be prescribed from the date of the receipt, for the examination of 
the boiler and shall give the owner thereof not less than ten days’ notice of the date so fixed. 

[^6][(3) On the said date the Inspector shall inspect the boiler with a view to satisfying himself that 

[^1]. Ins. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 6 (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^2]. Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for “State Government” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^5]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 8, for “may apply to the Inspector to have the boiler registered” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^6]. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 



the boiler has not suffered any damage during its transit from the place or manufacture to the site of 
erection and forward a report of the inspection along with the documents to the Chief Inspector within 
seven days. 

(4) The Chief Inspector, on receipt of the report, may— 

  (a) register the boiler and assign a register number thereto either forthwith or after satisfying 
himself that any structural alteration, addition or renewal which he may deem necessary has been 
made in or to the boiler or any steam-pipe attached thereto, or 

  (b) refuse to register the boiler: 

  Provided  that  where  the  Chief  Inspector  refuses  to  register  a  boiler,  he  shall  forthwith 
communicate his refusal to the owner of the boiler together with the reasons therefor. 

(5) The Chief Inspector shall, on registering the boiler, order the issue to the owner of a certificate 
in the prescribed form authorizing the use of the boiler for a period not exceeding twelve months at a 
pressure  not  exceeding  such  maximum  pressure  as  he  thinks  fit  and  as  is  in  accordance  with  the 
regulations made under this Act: 

  Provided that a certificate issued under this sub-section in respect of an economizer or of an 
unfired boiler which forms an integral part of a processing plant in which steam is generated solely by 
the  use  of  oil,  asphalt  or  bitumen  as  a  heating  medium may  authorise  its  use  for  a  period  not 
exceeding twenty-four months.

(6) The  Inspector  shall  forthwith  convey  to  the  owner  of  the  boiler  the  orders  of  the  Chief 
Inspector and shall in accordance therewith issue to the owner any certificate of which the issue has 
been ordered, and, where the boiler has been registered, the owner shall within the prescribed period 
cause the register number to be permanently marked thereon in the prescribed manner. 

8. **Renewal of certificate.**—(1) A certificate authorizing the use of a boiler shall cease to be in 
force— 

  (a) on the expiry of the priod for which it was granted; or 

  (b) when any accident occurs to the boiler; or 

  (c)  when  the  boiler  is  moved,  the  boiler  not  being  a  vertical  boiler  the  heating  surface  of 
which is less than 20 square metres, or a portable or vehicular boiler; or 

[^4][(d)  save  as  provided  in  section  12,  when  any  structural  alteration,  addition  or  renewal  is 
made in or to the boiler;] or 

  (e) if  the  Chief  Inspector  in  any  particular  case  so  directs,  when  any  structural  alteration, 
addition or renewal is made in or to any steam-pipe attached to the boiler; or 

  (f) on  the  communication  to  the  owner  of  the  boiler  of  an  order  of  the  Chief  Inspector  or 
Inspector prohibiting its use on the ground that [^5][it or any boiler component] attached thereto is in 
a dangerous condition. 

(2) Where an order is made under clause (f) of sub-section (1), the grounds on which the order is 
made shall be communicated to the owner with the order. 

[^6][(3) When a certificate ceases to be in force, the owner of the boiler may apply to the Competent 
Person for renewal thereof for such period as may be prescribed by regulations.] 

[^7][(4) On receipt of an application under sub-section (3), the Competent Person shall, within fifteen 
days  from  the  date  of  such  receipt,  inspect  the  boiler  in  such  manner  as  may  be  prescribed  by 
regulations. 

[^4]. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for clause (d) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^5]. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “it or any steam-pipe” (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^6]. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^7]. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for sub-sections (4) and (5) (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 



(5) If the Competent Person is— 

  (a) satisfied that the boiler and the boiler components attached thereto arc in good condition 
he shall issue a certificate for such period as may be prescribed by regulations. 

  (b) of  the  opinion  that  the  boiler  or  boiler  component,  or  both  does  not  conform  to  the 
standards prescribed by regulations, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, refuse to issue 
such certificate: 

  Provided that no certificate shall be refused unless the Inspecting Authority had directed the 
owner of the boiler or the boiler component, or both in writing to carry out such modifications or 
rectifications  as  it  deems  necessary  and  the  Competent  Person  is  of  the  opinion  that  inspite  of 
such direction the owner of the boiler or boiler component, or both did not carry out the direction: 

  Provided  further  that  the  Competent  Person  shall,  within  forty-eight  hours  of  making  the 
examination, inform the owner of the boiler or boiler component any defect in his opinion and the 
reasons therefore and shall forthwith report the case to the Chief Inspector. 

(6) The Competent Person may for the purpose of inspection under this section charge such fee as 
may be prescribed by regulations:] 

  Provided  that  where  the  Chief  Inspector  refuses  to  renew  a  certificate,  he  shall  forthwith 
communicate his refusal to the owner of the boiler, together with the reason therefor. 

(7) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent an owner of a boiler from applying for a 
renewal certificate therefor at any time during the currency of a certificates. 

9. **Provisional orders.**—Where the Inspector reports the case of any boiler to the Chief Inspector 
under sub-section (3) of section 7 [^1]*** he may, if the boiler is not a boiler the use of which has been 
prohibited  under  clause  (f)  of  sub-section  (1)  of  section  8,  grant  to  the  owner  thereof  a  provisional 
order in writing permitting the boiler to be used at a pressure not exceeding such maximum pressure 
as he thinks fit and as is in accordance with the regulations made under the Act pending the receipt of 
the orders of the Chief Inspector. Such provisional order shall cease to be in force— 

  (a) on the expiry of six months from the date on which it is granted, or 

  (b) on receipt of the orders of the Chief Inspector, or 

  (c) in  any  of  the  cases  referred  to  in  clauses  (b),  (c),  (d),  (e)  and  (f)  of  sub-section  (1)  of 
section 8. 

and on so ceasing to be in force shall be surrendered to the Inspector. 

10. **Use of boiler pending grant of certificate.**—(1)  Notwithstanding  anything  hereinbefore 
contained, when the period of a certificate relating to a boiler has expired, the owner shall, provided 
that he has applied before the expiry of that period for a renewal of the certificate, be entitled to use 
the boiler at the maximum pressure entered in the former certificate pending the issue of orders on the 
application. 

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to authorize the use of a boiler in any of the cases 
referred to in clauses (b), (c), (d), (c) and (f) of sub-section (1) of section 8 occurring after the expiry 
of the period of the certificate. 

11. **Revocation of certificate or provisional order.**—The  Chief  Inspector  may  at  any  time 
withdraw or revoke any certificate or provisional order on the report of an Inspector or otherwise— 

  (a) if there is reason to believe that the certificate or provisional order has been fraudulently 
obtained or has been granted erroneously or without sufficient examination; or 

  (b) if the boiler in respect of which it has been granted has sustained injury or has ceased to be 
in good condition; or 

  (c) where the [^2][Central Government] has made rules requiring that boilers shall be in charge 
of  persons  holding certificates  of  proficiency  or  competency,  if  the  boiler  is  in  charge  of  a 

[^1]. The words, brackets and figures “or sub-section (5) of section 8” omitted by Act 49 of 2007, s.10 (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^2]. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for “State Government” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 

 
 
person not holding the certificate required by such rules; or 

12. **Alterations and renewals to boilers.**—No structural alteration, addition or renewal shall be 
made in or to any boiler registered under this Act unless such alteration, addition or renewal has been 
sanctioned in writing by the Chief Inspector. 

[^3][Provided that no such sanction is required where the structural alteration, addition or renewal is 
made under the supervision of a Competent Person.] 

[^4][13. **Alteration or renewal of boiler component.**—(1) Before the owner of any boiler registered 
under  this  Act  makes  any  structural  alteration,  addition  or  renewal  in  or  to  any  boiler  component 
attached to the boiler, he shall transmit to the Chief Inspector a report in writing of his intention and 
send therewith such particulars of proposed alteration, addition or renewal as may be prescribed by 
regulations. 

(2) Any structural alteration, addition or renewal referred to in sub-section (1) shall be made by a 
person possessing a Boiler Repairer certificate under the supervision of the Competent Person.] 

14. **Duty of owner at examination.**—(1) On any date fixed under this Act for the examination of 
a boiler, the owner thereof shall be bound— 

  (a) to afford to the [^5][Competent Person] all reasonable facilities for the examination and all 
such information as may reasonably be required of him; 

  (b) to have the boiler properly prepared and ready for examination in the [^6][manner prescribed 
by regulations]; and 

  (c) in  the  case  of  an  application  for  the  registration  of  a  boiler,  to  provide  such  drawings, 
specifications, certificates and other particulars as may be [^7][prescribed by regulations]. 

(2) If the owner fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1), 
the [^4][Competent Person] shall refuse to make the examination and shall report the case to the Chief 
Inspector who shall, unless sufficient cause to the contrary is shown, require the owner to file a fresh 
application  under  section  7  or  section  8,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  may  forbid  him  to  use  the  boiler 
notwithstanding anything contained in section 10. 

15. **Production of certificates, etc.**—The  owner  of  any  boiler  who  holds  a  certificate  or 
provisional  order  relating  thereto  shall,  at  all  reasonable  times  during  the  period  for  which  the 
certificate or order is in force, be bound to produce the same when called upon to do so by a District 
Magistrate, Commissioner of Police or Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction in the area in 
which the boiler is for the time being, or by the Chief Inspector or by an Inspector or by any Inspector 
appointed under the [^8][the Factories Act, 1948(63 of 1948)],or by any person specially authorized in 
writing, by a District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police. 

16. **Transfer of certificates, etc.**—If any person becomes the owner of a boiler during the period 
for which a certificate or provisional order relating thereto is in force, the preceding owner shall be 
bound to make over to him the certificate or provisional order. 

17. **Powers of entry.** —An inspector may, for the purpose of inspecting or examining a boiler or 
any steam-pipe attached thereto or of seeing that any provision of this Act or of any regulation or rule 
made there under has been or is being observed, at all reasonable times enter any place or building 
within the limits of the area for which he has been appointed in which he has reason to believe that a 
boiler is in use. 

[^1]. Clause (d) omitted by Act 49 of 2007, s. 11 (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^2]. Proviso omitted by s. 11, ibid. (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^3]. Ins. by s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^4]. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for section 13 (w.e.f. 7-10-2010) . 
[^5]. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “Inspector” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^6]. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “prescribed manner” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^7]. Subs. bys. 14, ibid., for “be prescribed by regulations” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^8]. Subs. by s. 15, ibid., for “the Indian Factory Act, 1911 (12 of 1911)” (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 



18. **Report of accidents.**—(1) If any accident occurs to a boiler or [^1][boiler component], the owner 
or person in charge thereof shall, within twenty-four hours of the accident, report the same in writing 
to the Inspector. Every such report shall contain a true description of the nature of the accident and of 
the injury, if any, caused thereby to the boiler or to the [^1][boiler component] or to any person, and shall 
be in sufficient detail to enable the inspector to judge of the gravity of the accident. 

(2) Every person shall be bound to answer truly to the best of his knowledge and liability every 
question put to him in writing by the Inspector as to the cause, nature or extent of the accident. 

[^2][(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), where any death has resulted due to 
any accident, an inquiry may be conducted by such person and in such manner as may be prescribed 
by the Central Government.] 

19. **Appeals to Chief Inspector.**— (1) Any person considering himself aggrieved by— 

  (a) an  order  made  or  purporting  to  be  made  by  an  Inspector  in  the  exercise  of  any  power 
conferred by or under this Act, or 

  (b) a refusal of an Inspector to make any order or to issue any certificate which he is required 
or enabled by or under this Act to make or issue, 

may, within thirty days from the date on which such order or refusal is communicated to him, appeal 
against the order or refusal to the Chief Inspector. 

[^4][(2) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by 
the State Government. 

(3) The  procedure  for  disposing  of  an  appeal  shall  be  such  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  State 
Government.] 

20. **Appeals to appellate authority.**—(1) Any  person  consider  himself  aggrieved  by  an 
original or appellate order of the Chief Inspector— 

  (a) refusing to register a boiler or to grant or renew a certificate in respect of a boiler; or 

  (b) refusing to grant a certificate having validity for the full period applied for; or 

  (c) refusing  to  grant  a  certificate  authorizing  the  use  of  a  boiler  at  the  maximum  pressure 
desired; or 

  (d) withdrawing or revoking a certificate or provisional order; or 

  (e) reducing the amount of pressure specified in any certificate or the period for which such 
certificate has been granted; or 

  (f) ordering any structural alteration, addition or renewal to be made in or to a boiler or steam-
pipe or refusing sanction to the making of any structural alteration, addition or renewal in or to a 
boiler, may, within thirty days of the communication to him of such order, [^6][prefer an appeal to 
the Central Government]. 

[^7][(2) Any person considering himself aggrieved by the refusal of an Inspecting Authority to grant 
a certificate of inspection of manufacture or erection, as the case may be, may, within thirty days from 
the date of communication of such refusal, prefer an appeal to the Central Government. 

(3) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the 
Central Government. 

(4) The procedure for disposing of an appeal shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central 
Government.] 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 16, for “steam-pipe” (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^2]. Ins. by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^4]. Ins. by s. 17, ibid. (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^6]. Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for “lodge with the Chief Inspector an appeal to an Appellate Authority to be constituted by the State 
  Government under this Act” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 
[^7]. Ins. by s. 18, ibid. (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 



20A. **Power of Central Government to revise order of appellate authority.**—(1) Any person 
considering  himself  aggrieved  by  an  order  of  the  appellate  authority  refusing  under  section  20  to 
interfere with an order not to register a boiler or not to grant or renew a certificate in respect thereof 
on the ground that the boiler does not conform to the regulations made under this Act may, within two 
months of the communication to him of such order, make an application to the Central Government 
for a revision of that order on the ground that such boilers are in use in other countries. 

(2) Upon  the  receipt  of  such  an  application,  the  Central  Government  may,  after  calling  for 
relevant records and other information from the appellate authority and considering the observations, 
if  any,  of  that  authority  on  the  application  and  after  obtaining  such  technical  advice  as  the  Central 
Government  may  consider  necessary,  pass  such  order  in  relation  to  the  application,  as  the  Central 
Government  thinks  fit;  and,  Where  the  revision  is  allowed,  the  order  shall  specify  the  terms  and 
conditions  on  which  any  variations  from  the  regulations  made  under  this  Act  are  to  be  dealt  with 
during the examination of the boiler.

21. **Finality of orders.**—[^3][An order of the Central Government under sections 20 and 20A,] or 
of the chief Inspector, or of a Deputy Chief Inspector, or of an Inspector, shall be final and shall not 
be called in question in any court.

22. **Minor penalties.**— Any  owner  of  a  boiler  who  refuses  or  without  reasonable  excuse 
neglects— (i) to surrender a provisional order as required by section 9, or 

  (ii) to produce a certificate or provisional order when duly called upon to do so under section 
15, or 

  (iii) to make over to the new owner of a boiler a certificate or provisional order as required by 
section 16, 

shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees. 

23. **Penalties for illegal use of boiler.**— Any  owner  of  a  boiler  who,  in  any  case  in  which  a 
certificate or provisional order is required for the use of the boiler under this Act, uses the boiler either 
without any such certificate or order being in force or at a higher pressure than that allowed thereby, 
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, and, in the case of a continuing 
offence,  with  an  additional  fine  which  may  extend  to one thousand rupees for  each  day  after  the 
first day in regard to which he is convicted of having persisted in the offence. 

24. **Other penalties.** — Any person who—(a) uses or permits to be used a boiler of which he is 
the owner and which has been transferred from one State to another without such transfer having been 
reported as required by section 6, or 

  (b) being the owner of a boiler fails to cause the registered number allotted to the boiler under this 
Act to be marked on the boiler as required by sub-section (6) of section 7, or 

  (c) makes any structural alteration, addition or renewal in or to a boiler without first obtaining the 
sanction  of  the  Chief  Inspector  when  so  required  by  section  12,  or  to  a  steam-pipe  without  first 
informing the Chief Inspector when so required by section 13, or 

  (d) fails to report an accident to a boiler or steam-pipe when so required by section 18, or 

  (e) tampers with a safety valve of a boiler so as to render it inoperative at the maximum pressure 
at which the use of the boiler is authorized under this Act. 

  (f) allows another person to go inside a boiler without effectively disconnecting the same in the 
prescribed manner from any steam or hot water connection with any other boiler or from fuel mains, 

[^3]. Subs.  by  Act  49  of  2007,  s.  19,  for  “An  order  of  the  Central  Government  under  section  20A  and  save  as  otherwise 
provided in sections 19, 20 and 20A, an order of an appellate authority” (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 

 
 
shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine which may 
extend to one lakh rupees, or with both. 

25. **Penalty for tampering with register mark.** —  (1)  Whoever  removes,  alters,  defaces, 
renders invisible or otherwise tampers with the register number marked on a boiler in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act or any Act repealed hereby, shall be punishable with fine which may extend 
to one lakh rupees. 

(2) Whoever fraudulently marks upon a boiler a register number which has not been allotted to it 
under this Act or any Act repealed hereby, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend 
to two years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both. 

26. **Limitation and previous sanction for prosecutions.** — No prosecution for an offence made 
punishable by or under this Act shall be instituted except within twenty-four months from the date 
of  the  commission  of  the  offence  and  no  such  prosecution  shall  be  instituted  without  the  previous 
sanction of the Chief Inspector. 

27. **Trial of offences.** —  No  offence  made  punishable  by  or  under  this  Act  shall  be  tried  by  a 
Court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class. 

27A. **Central Boilers Board.**—(1)  A  Board  to  be  called  the  Central  Boilers  Board  shall  be 
constituted to exercise the powers conferred by section 28. 

[^6][(2) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely: — 

  (a) the  Secretary  to  the  Government  of  India  incharge  of  the  Department  of  the  Central 
Government having administrative control of the Board who shall be the Chairperson *ex officio*; 

  (b) a senior technical officer conversant with the inspection and examination of boilers, to be 
nominated by the Government of each State (other than a Union territory); 

  (c) equal number of other persons as in sub-section (b) above to represent — 

     (i) Central Government, 

     (ii) the Bureau of Indian Standards, 

     (iii) boiler and boiler component manufacturers, 

     (iv) National laboratories, 

     (v) engineering consultancy agencies, 

     (vi) users of boilers, and 

     (vii) such  other  interests  which  in  the  opinion  of  the  Central  Government  ought  to  be 
represented on the Board, 

to be nominated by the Central Government; 

  (d) Technical Adviser, Member-Secretary *ex officio*. 

(3) The term of office of the members nominated under clauses (b) and (c) of sub-section (2) shall 
be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.] 

(4) The  Board  shall  have  full  power  to  regulate  by  means  of  bye-laws  or  otherwise  its  own 
producer and the conduct of all business to be transacted by it, the constitution of committees and sub-
committees of members and the delegation to them of any of the powers and duties of the Board. 

(5) The powers of the Board may be exercised notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board.] 



[^6]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 24, for sub-sections (2) and (3) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 


 
28. **Power to make regulations.** —(1) The Board may,  by  notification  in  the  Gazette  of 
India, make regulations consistent with this Act for all or any of the following purposes, namely: — 

  [^3][(a) for  laying  down  the  standard  conditions  in  respect  of  material,  design,  construction, 
erection,  operation  and  maintenance  which  shall  be  required  for  the  purposes  of  enabling  the 
registration  and  certification  of  boilers,  boiler  components,  boiler  mountings  and  fittings  under 
this Act;] 

  (b) for prescribing the method of determining the maximum pressure at which a boiler may be 
used ; 

  (c) for  regulating  the  registration  of  boilers,  prescribing  the  fees payable  therefore, and for 
the  inspection  and  examination  of  boilers  or  parts  thereof the  drawings,  specifications, 
certificates  and  particulars  to  be  produced  by  the  owner,  the  method  of  preparing  a  boiler  for 
examination,  the  form  of  the  Inspector's  report  thereon,  the  method  of  marking  the  register 
number, and the period within which such number is to be marked on the boiler; 

  (d) for  regulating  the  inspection  and  examination  of boilers  and [^5][boiler components,  boiler 
mountings and fittings], and prescribing forms of certificates therefore ; 

  (e) for ensuring the safety of persons working inside a boiler; and 

[^6][(ea)  for  prescribing  the  qualifications  and  experience  subject  to  which  the  Inspecting 
Authorities, Competent Authorities and Competent Persons shall be recognised under this Act; 

  (eb) the  conditions  subject  to  which  and  the  manner  in  which  manufacturer  of  boiler 
components of material may be recognised; 

  (ec) facilities for design and construction which are required to be provided in the premises in 
which the manufacturing of any boiler or boiler component is carried out; 

  (ed) fee for the purposes of inspection or grant of recognition or any certificate under this Act; 

  (ef) procedure for examination and grant of Welders certificate; 

  (eg) powers and functions which the Board may delegate to the Technical Adviser; 

  (eh) documents to be enclosed along with the application for registration of boilers or renewal 
of a certificate authorising the use of boilers; 

  (ei) the manner of inspection of boilers; 

  (ej) the period for which a certificate authorising the use of a boiler may be renewed; 

  (ek) the conditions subject to which and the form in which Competent Person shall renew a 
certificate authorising the use of boilers; 

  (el) the manner and the form in which a Repairer’s certificate shall be issued; 

  (em) the manner in which the boiler shall be prepared for examination; 

  (en) drawings,  specification,  documents  and  other  particulars  which  owner  of  a  boiler  is 
required to make available to the Competent Person; 

  (eo) the manner in which a person may be authorised to conduct energy audit and the manner 
in which such audit shall be conducted; 

  (ep) the  manner in  which disputes  between  the  States  with  respect  to  registration  of  boilers 
shall be resolved.] 

  (f) for providing for any other matter which is not, in the opinion of the Board, a matter of 
merely local or State importance. 

[^3]. Subs. by 49 of 2007, s. 25, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^5]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 25, for “steam-pipes” (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^6]. Ins. by s. 25, ibid. (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 



[^1][(2) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made before 
each  House  of  Parliament,  while  it  is  in  session,  for  a  total  period  of  thirty  days  which  may  be 
comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before the expiry of the session 
immediately  following  the  session  or  the  successive  aforesaid,  both  Houses  agree  in  making  any 
modification  in  the  regulation  or  both  Houses  agree  that  the  regulation  should  not  be  made,  the 
regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may 
be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of 
anything previously done under that regulation.] 

28A. **Power of Central Government to make rules.**—[^3][(1) The Central Government may, by 
notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

(1A) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may 
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

  (a) the  procedure  to  be  followed  in  making  applications  under  section  20A  and  the  fees 
payable in respect of such application; 

  (b) the qualifications and experience of persons to be appointed as Chief Inspectors, Deputy 
Chief Inspectors and Inspectors; 

  (c) the manner in which appeals may be preferred to the Board, the fees payable in respect of 
appeals and the procedure to be followed of disposing such appeals; 

  (d) the term of office of the members and the manner in which they shall be nominated under 
clauses (b) and (c) of sub-section (2) of section 27A; 

  (e) the qualifications and experience of the Technical Adviser; 

  (f) for requiring boilers to be under the charge of persons holding certificate of proficiency or 
competency and for prescribing the conditions on which such certificate may be granted; 

  (g) the manner in which and the person who shall conduct inquiry into the accident.] 

(2) Every rule made under sub-section (1) shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made before 
each  House  of  Parliament  while  it  is  in  session  for  a  total  period  of  thirty  days  which  may  be 
comprised  in  one  session or [^4][in  two  or  more  successive  sessions,  and  if,  before  the  expiry  of  the 
session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid] both Houses agree in 
making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule 
shall  thereafter  have  effect  only  in  such  modified  form  or  be  of  no  effect,  as  the  case  may be,  so 
however,  that  any  such  modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of 
anything previously done under that rule.] 

29. **Power to make rules.**— (1) The  State  Government  may,  by  notification  in  the  Official 
Gazette, make rules consistent with this Act and the regulations made there under for all or any of the 
following purposes, namely :— 

[^6][(a) the powers and duties of the Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors] 

  (b) for regulating the transfer of boilers ; 

  (c) for providing for the registration and certification of boilers in accordance with the regulations 
made under this Act ; 

  (e) for prescribing the times within which Inspectors shall be required to examine boilers under 
section 7 or section 8 ; 

[^1]. Ins. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 15-5-1986). 
[^3]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 26, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^4]. Subs. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2 and the Schedule, for certain words (w.e.f. 15-5-1986). 
[^6]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 27 for clause (a) (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 

 
 
[^1][(f) fee payable for registration of boilers;] 

  (g) for regulating inquires into accidents ; 

[^2][(h) the manner in which appeals shall be preferred to the Chief Inspector and the procedure to be 
followed for hearing such appeals;] 

  (i) for determining the mode of disposal of fees, costs and penalties levied under this Act; and 

[^5][(2) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be 
after it is made, before the State Legislature.] 

30. **Penalty for breach of rules.**—Any  regulation  or  rule  made  under  section  28  or  section 
29 may direct that a person contravening such regulation or rule shall be punishable, in the case of a 
first offence, with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, and in the case of any subsequent 
offence, with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees. 

31. **Publication of regulations and rules.**—(1)  The  power  to  make  regulations  and  rules 
conferred by sections 28 and 29 shall be subject to the condition of the regulations and rules being 
made after previous publication. 

(2) Regulations and rules so made shall be published in the Gazette of India and the local official 
Gazette, respectively, and, on such publication, shall have effect as if enacted in this Act. 

31A. **Power of Central Government to give directions.**—The Central Government may give 
such directions as it may deem necessary to a State Government regarding the carrying into execution 
of the provisions of this Act, and the State Government shall comply with such directions. 

32. **Recovery of fees, etc.** —All fees cost and penalties levied under this Act shall be recoverable 
as arrears of land revenue. 

33. **Applicability to the Government.** —Save  as  otherwise  expressly  provided,  this  Act  shall 
apply to boilers and boiler components belonging to the Government. 

34. **Exemptions. Power to suspend in case of emergency.**— (1) The State Government may, 
by  notification  in  the  Official  Gazette,  exempt  from  the  operation  of  this  Act,  subject  to  such 
conditions and restrictions as it thinks fit, any boilers or classes or types of boilers used exclusively 
for the heating of buildings or the supply of hot water. 

(2) In case of any emergency the State Government may by general or special order in writing, 
exempt any boilers or steam-pipes or any class of boilers or steam-pipes or any boiler or steam-pipe 
from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act. 

[^13][(3)  If  the  State  Government  is  satisfied  that  having  regard  to  the  material,  design  or 
construction of boilers and to the need for the rapid industrialisation of the country, it is necessary so 
to  do,  it  may,  by  notification  in  the  Official  Gazette  and  subject  to  such  conditions  as  may  be 
prescribed  by  regulations,  exempt  any  boiler  or  boiler  components  in  the  whole  or  any  part,  of  the 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 27, for clause (f) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^2]. Subs. by s. 27, ibid., for clause (h) (w.e.f. 27-5-2008). 
[^5]. Ins. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 15-5-1986). 
[^13]. Subs. by Act 49 of 2007, s. 30, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 7-10-2010). 

 

State from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.] 

35. *[Repeal of enactments.]—Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1927 (12 of 1927) s. 2 and the Schedule.* 

     THE SCHEDULE *[Enactments repealed.] Rep. by s. 2 and the Schedule, ibid.*